Zwettl Altar, Gothic altar in Church of Saint Barbara, Adamov, Czech Republic.

The Zwettl Altar is the surviving carved retable of a late Gothic high altar made for Zwettl Abbey between 1516 and 1525. Now in the Church of Saint Barbara in Adamov, the roughly 6.5-metre relief shows the Assumption of Mary, with apostles gesturing below and the Trinity above, framed by branches alluding to the abbey's founding legend. The figures are high relief with gilding and sparse paint; the surrounding cabinet is a neo-Gothic addition.

The work was created between 1516 and 1525 at Zwettl Monastery and relocated to Adamov in 1857 through Prince Alois II of Liechtenstein's initiative. This move marked a shift in how religious art was displayed and distributed across the region during that century.

The altarpiece shows the Assumption of Mary, with apostles gesturing around her and the Trinity above; the frame's branches refer to the founding legend of Zwettl Abbey. The figures are carved in high relief, with gilding and restrained paint adding depth.

The altar is located inside an active church, so visiting hours should be verified in advance of your visit. It is advisable to check with church staff upon arrival to ensure you can view the altar properly.

During World War II the altar was hidden away and returned in 1947 after being stored in a pilgrimage church crypt for safety. Few visitors today realize that this carved treasure was moved to protect it from wartime destruction.